CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — As the NAACP meets for its National Convention in Uptown this week, leaders say now is the time to refocus their work and ensure the organization is advocating for all those who are marginalized.
“This is the year that we need to talk about the value of humanity, the value of all humanity,” said NAACP Chair Leon Russell.
In an interview with Queen City News on Saturday, Russell argued that there has been a recent backsliding in the progress the organization has been able to achieve in their 116-year history.
NAACP Chair Leon Russell
He took aim specifically at President Donald Trump.
“I think in particular in the last six months, with some of the executive orders that have been issued, there is definite danger to many of the rights that have been gained,” he said.
This year, the NAACP broke tradition and chose not to invite the sitting president to speak. Trump had declined multiple invitations during his previous term.
“Quite frankly, because [of] the agenda that he has espoused. What we saw in Project 2025 told us right away that this was not an agenda that we needed to provide a stage for,” said Russell.
Naacp leaders argue progress has regressed under trump administration as national convention gets underway 2
When it was announced another invite would not be extended, a White House Spokesperson said, “The NAACP isn’t advancing anything but hate and division, while the President is focused on uniting our country, improving our economy, securing our borders, and establishing peace across the globe.”
The convention, which expects to bring about 10,000 people to Uptown, will run through Wednesday.
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